Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike may be nearing a return to full training, this time with Hall of Fame conditioner Bill Mott, owner Rick Dawson told the Thoroughbred Daily News this week.
The 4-year-old son of Keen Ice last ran for Derby-winning trainer Eric Reed in the Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes on Kentucky Derby day, May 5. Since then, Dawson announced the split with Reed following a disagreement over movie rights.
Rich Strike has since been rehabilitating a buildup of scar tissue in both front legs under the care of renowned equine veterinarian and surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital.
“He's rehabbing from some issues he had with his front tendons, left front and right front,” Dawson told TDN. “Both have recovered extremely well. Dr. Bramlage at Rood and Riddle did all the work. He's had ultrasounds, X-rays, etc. and he is doing really well. At times, his front suspensory tendons would get inflamed and get slightly damaged. They never tore but scar tissue built up in both legs. There was scar tissue where tendon fibers should have been. Through his treatment and exercise, certain feed, etc., that scar tissue started to reverse itself. It's been a long process but, basically, the tendons were able to get back to normal. We are very fortunate that he did not tear a tendon while training or running. I'm extremely happy that this was caught back in May.”
Currently in light training at Margaux Farm, Rich Strike is expected to be able to make the trip to Mott's string for full training in November. Dawson expects Rich Strike to be able to target a race like the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park in late January, with a potential prep race penciled in for late December.
Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.
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